Sand sifting star

[psgolding]

Hi I have been badly misguided into purchasing a sand sifting star for my 94l tank. I have come to see via researching that they were wrong to advise me to get this and I know that without the proper care this will die via starvation. I have read I can supplement it but I'm confused as to how as it says brine shrimp. Can anyone please advise what is best to do. I have 3 Halloween Hermet crabs. 2 turbo snails. 2 skunk shrimp. 2 clownfish. Please any advice is much appreciated

 

[psgolding]

All live rock and live sand in the tank. All peramiteres are bang on correct as well

 

[glb]

I'd give it away. I got the same bad advice and gave mine to a local science museum that had an aquarium.

 

[psgolding]

Yes we have also made the decision to try to return it before it becomes sick or starves it's been in the tank 3 weeks so it's probably eaten everything in the sand now and needs to move on asap

 

[Mark Wilson]

Years ago I experienced the same--sand sifting star without enough to eat. In my most recent 72 gallon tank (about 3 years old), I have a deep sand bed of about 4-6 inches. I added a sand sifting starfish 1.5 years ago. It has grown to about twice its original size, and continues to look very healthy. I believe the key is a mature tank with lots of sand.

 

[thegunslinger]

Hypothetically speaking, if someone had a sand sifting star and hadn't seen it in a few days, how long should one wait before becoming concerned?

 

[glb]

Hypothetically speaking, if someone had a sand sifting star and hadn't seen it in a few days, how long should one wait before becoming concerned?

IMO I'd be more concerned if you had crabs like an emerald that could eat one overnight. If there aren't any big scavengers, it might be burrowed somewhere. How deep is your sandbed?

 

[JedClampett]

I would have got a serpent star, they are really easy to take care of

 

[thegunslinger]

IMO I'd be more concerned if you had crabs like an emerald that could eat one overnight. If there aren't any big scavengers, it might be burrowed somewhere. How deep is your sandbed?

I have 3 small hermits and a decorator. Krusty usually likes to wear a bit of whatever he just ate, and I haven't seen anything that looks like starfish remnants. Sand bed is 2".

 

[Mark Wilson]

Hypothetically speaking, if someone had a sand sifting star and hadn't seen it in a few days, how long should one wait before becoming concerned?

Normally, I see mine surface at least weekly. I've noticed that if I stir up sediment (from the sand) the sand sifting star will surface.